25 Productive Things To Do When Bored (Level-Up Your Free Time!)

Spending time at home is fun… but what happens when you’ve binged everything on Netflix and had a few too many midday naps?

If you’re bored in the house, you might be looking for something to pass the time. Never fear—we’ve got you covered. Here are 25 productive things to do when you’re bored. Enjoy!

Productive things to do when bored

1. Learn a language

Install it today!

¿Hablas español? Parlez vous francais? If you’ve never tried to learn a second language, now may be the time. Using an app like DuoLingo is one of the most productive things to do when bored. Give it a go!

2. Revamp your CV

Searching for a new job? Now that you’ve got some spare time, why not give your CV some tender-loving care? Make sure that the document is up to date with your latest achievements and experience. For bonus points, you could give your LinkedIn a makeover, too.

3. Do some spring cleaning

Dust high and low!

When was the last time you deep-cleaned your home? Scratch that… Have you ever deep-cleaned your home? Most of us are comfortable doing light cleaning now and then but, if you’re feeling bored, you could go all out and spring clean.

4. Exercise

Get up and get moving! Research from the University of Michigan suggests that exercising can increase your happiness levels while lowering anxiety and depression. Needless to say, doing so will also improve your physical health too. Whether you follow a Joe Wicks tutorial or head out for a quick jog, the point is that exercising is always productive.

5. Try some mindful meditation

Mindfulness is more than a buzzword. Research from the University of Utah suggests that mindfulness techniques can improve people’s mental and physical well-being. To get started, you can try the Headspace app or the Calm app. And breathe!

6. Write to your friends

You can make it really meaningful.

From Zoom calls to Houseparty, there are plenty of ways to stay in touch with your pals. But why not take the chance to reignite a long-lost art? Writing letters to your friends and loved ones is an easy way to make them feel special.

7. Create a Spotify playlist

If you’re a Spotify user, here’s your chance to have some fun! Why not create a playlist and share it with your friends and loved ones? Looking for some inspiration? You could make a ‘Happy Vibes’ playlist or even a ‘Friday Night Party’ one. Get creative.

8. Watch some TED talks

Here's one that fits with our topic!

Expand your mind by watching captivating TED talks online. No matter what you’re into, you’ll be able to find a video that suits you. Start by browsing the videos online and clicking on any that pique your interest. You never know where it might take you!

9. Write in your diary

Do you use a diary? Maybe you should. Research from the American Psychological Association suggests that writing can positively impact your mental health. If you’re new to this art, simply get a blank notebook and write a short and sweet entry each day.

10. Bake some banana bread

Are you even in lockdown if you haven’t baked banana bread? The short answer is no. If you’re looking for productive things to do when bored, you might as well give this a go. Try this easy banana bread recipe. Great British Bake Off 2021… Here you come!

11. Start a free online course

There are so many to choose from.

Needless to say, one of the most productive things to do when bored is to learn something new. Luckily, there are plenty of free courses you can do online from the comfort of your sofa. Check out The Open University online and see what tickles your fancy.

12. Learn how to cook a new recipe

Of course, one of the most productive things to do when bored has to be cooking. You need to eat anyway… so you might as well whip up something delicious. If you have recipe books lining your shelves, grab them and get started. You can also find free recipes online on sites, such as BBC Good Food, Olive Magazine and Delicious Magazine.

13. Organise your drawers

We love Marie Kondo!

Unleash your inner Marie Kondo! Organising your clothes drawers doesn’t have to be a huge job and it could make all the difference. Watch the video above to get started. Time to get folding!

14. Make your own photo album

We all have hundreds of photos stored on our smartphones… but what about photo albums? There’s something special about having a physical book you can look through when you’re feeling nostalgic. Why not print out your pictures and get crafting?

15. Take up yoga at home

Have you ever tried yoga? If you’re completely new to this relaxing world, there’s no better time to get started. Luckily, you don’t need a load of gear to give it a whirl. All you really need is a mat to practice on. Yoga with Adriene is ideal for beginners.

16. Expand your vocabulary

It could come in handy!

Ready to improve your lexicon? You don’t have to be a writer to have a broad and colourful vocabulary! One of the best productive things to do when you’re bored is learning new words. If you head to Dictionary.com, there are plenty of great resources to try. You'll be a Scrabble master in no time!

17. Make a wish list on Amazon

Love online shopping? While you may not have limitless funds to spend right now (who does?!), you could make a list for later. When you’re logged into your Amazon account, find something that you like. Next, click ‘Add to List’ and then ‘Wish List’.

18. Organise your laptop documents

Can you easily find things on your laptop or computer? For most of us, the answer is a resounding no. When you’re looking for productive things to do when bored, why not give this a go? Take an hour to organise your file system.

19. Start learning how to code

It's easier than it sounds!

Want to learn a useful (and valuable!) skill? You don’t have to be a brainiac to start coding. It’s more straightforward than you expect. Believe it or not, you can learn how to code from the comfort of your own home. Check out Codecademy to get started today.

20. Delete unwanted subscriptions

How many subscriptions do you have? Check your bank statements to see whether you have any unexpected charges. You might find that you’ve accidentally signed up for a Netflix trial and forgot to cancel. Equally, you may have joined a gym and never gone. Delete those subscriptions and save yourself some pennies.

21. Try colouring in (for adults!)

Colouring in is no longer just for children. Hurrah! Over the last couple of years, this has become a major trend. You can get adult colouring books online. However, if you don’t want to splash the cash, you can also download free templates online instead.

22. Read that pile of books

There are whole worlds to be explored in a book!

We all have a pile of books that we’ve never touched! If you’re stuck for something to do, crack on with your ‘must read’ list. Dedicate just 30 minutes a day to reading. Bonus: Research from Kingston University suggests that reading may make you kinder.

23. Work on your five-year plan

Where do you see yourself in five years? There’s a reason that interviewers often ask this question. It’s something that we should all think about. Set out some long-term and short-term goals for the future. You can then put timelines on each goal. Simple.

24. Have a ‘self-care’ day

Dedicating some time to yourself is a fast way to lift your mood. Why not have a ‘self-care’ day? Kick things off with a relaxing bubble bath followed by a face mask. You can also spend some time drinking green tea, reading magazines and, simply, chilling out.

25. Do some gardening

You can even grow some plants indoors.

Lucky enough to have an outdoor space? Use it! Gardening is one of the best productive things to do when bored. If you’re unsure where to start, The Royal Horticultural Society has plenty of tips and advice to help you along the way.

Q&A

What can I do right now to be productive?

As we’ve covered, there are plenty of productive things to do when you’re bored. If you haven’t got a clue what to do, use a randomiser to decide for you. Try Wheel Decide!

What productive things can I do on the internet?

If you’ve got a laptop or smartphone handy, there are loads of productive things to do online. Why not go to TED and learn something new, or find wholesome recipes to try?

What can I do in 30 minutes?

Got half an hour to spare? You could call a loved one, write a quick letter or follow a speedy exercise video. The choice is yours!

What can I Google when I’m bored?

Looking for something fun to do when you’re bored? Try Googling the following phrases:

“I’m feeling curious”

“Fun facts”

“I’m feeling doodly”

“Anagram”

You never know what you might find! (Hint: You can also use the “I’m feeling lucky” button on Google’s homepage to find something random.)

How do you pass the time when you're bored? Let us know in the comments below!

Editor

Expert in finding beautiful solutions for small and rented spaces. Would happily spend the rest of my life shopping for homewares and watching Disney movies - I only wish I had Cinderella's army of mice to help me clean!